Metal Mobilization and zinc-rich circumneutral mine drainage from the abandoned mining area of Osor (Girona, NE Spain)

Abstract

Contaminated soil and mine wastes in Spain's abandoned Osor mining area contain Cd, Co, Pb, Zn, As, Ba, and Sb at levels that exceed Catalonia's regulatory limits for soils of industrial use. Mine water from the Coral adit, which is the main dewatering system in the Osor area, has circumneutral pH from carbonate and silicate dissolution, and high concentrations of Fe, Mn, Ni, Pb, and Zn. Geochemical modeling showed that smithsonite and hydrozincite were possible solid phases for Zn. The Coral adit is the main source of contaminants to Osor Creek, especially Zn and SO 4 −2 .